Centralized traffic control system



R. C. LEAKE CENTRALZED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM june 2, 'g l Filed March 27, '1936 mtm @www .WSSWQY QhOxNJ Y I E E i i I I I l I i l I I I I |,I I. I.' II- R E O N T R N E s: m3 uw om m@ m g5@ VNUQ W M lli E NQNNMW, .v O w b NN. NH if* Nmzw. m

Patented June 2, 1936 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM Application March 27, 1930, Serial No. 439,323

33 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to centralized traino controlling systems for railroads of the synchronous selector type, an-d more particularly to an iipulse absorbing group of relays for such a sys- The impulse absorbing relay group of the present invention is particularly applicable to the system shown in the prior application of R. C. Leake and Robert M. Phinney, Ser. No. 385,740, to which application reference may be had, if desired. Generally speaking, in the system shown in said prior application, a series of impulses is` transmitted to each of the various way stations of the dispatching system, each impulse establishing a separate channel circuit, all of said channel circuits including the same line wire, so that by employing three line wires, a stepping wire, a message wire and a common wire, it is possible to set up as many independent message circuits as there are impulses in one cycle of operation of the system. In said prior application, a relay is required for absorbing each of the impulses at a distant way station, from which it readily appears that at the last way station there would be required as many relays as there are impulses in a cycle.

In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to assemble a relay group in a circuit arrangement so that a large number of impulses may be absorbed through the medium of a comparatively small number of relays. For instance, if the channel circuits desired to be used at a particular way station are closed respectively at the thirty-third and the thirty-fourth impulses, it would be expedient to be able to absorb impulses 1 to 32 inclusive, and allow the thirtythird and the thirty-fourth impulse to pass to the channel completing relays at such wayl station.

More specically, it is proposed to employ two series of stepping relays in which the second series is of a higher order than the first series, and in which a relay of the second group is operated for each operation of all the relays of the rst group, so that the relays of the rst series may be used over as many times as there are relays in the second series. Further, if desired, an additional relay may be employed to permit each of the relays of the second series to carry out their functions twice.

Another object of the present invention resides in the standardization of various groups of relays such as auxiliary relays, impulse absorbing relays and selecting relays, mounting each of these groups of relays in their own cabinet so that any one of these cabinets can be replaced by a reserve cabinet in case trouble develops in the wiring of certain of the apparatus.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will be pointed out herein- 5 after and will in part be obvious from the accompanying drawing.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the single accompanying drawing, showing an auxiliary group, an impulse absorbing group and a selecting group of relays, all located at a way station in the particular form of the invention illustrated, interconnected in a manner so that the impulse absorbing group absorbs 32 electrical impulses.

Referring to the drawings the stepping wire lil is alternately energized by positive and negative impulses following a period of blank, representing a division between two cycles of impulses, these impulses being applied at the dispatchers office, and the message wire ll is energized by current of a particular polarity or is deenergized following immediately the period of each impulse depending upon the character of message that is to be transmitted over the message circuit completed by such impulse, all in a manner more fully described in the prior application above referred to.

The auxiliary relay group includes only the usual polar line relay LR and the usual slow dropping relay K, which relay K clears out or synchronizes the system at the end of each cycle. The impulse absorbing relay group includes a series of relays numbered l, 2, 3, 4, etc., and conveniently called number relays, a series of relays A, B, C, etc., conveniently called letter relays a shift relay SH and a transfer relay TR, and the selecting relay group includes the usual channel selecting relay 33 and 34, a signal relay SR, a direction relay DR and a number relay la.

At the distant way station under consideration there has been shown a main track comprising rails l2 and a side track comprising rails I3, said side track being at times connected to the main track through the medium of a track switch S. These track rails being insulated in the usual way by insulating joints i4, the usual east bound starting signal E and the west bound entering signal W being provided. It is believed that the present system will be most readily understood by considering the operation of the way side equipment shown in the drawing.

Operation- Let us assume that it is desired to operate the signal relay SR, this relay preferably being a polar relay of the permanent magnet stick type, which remains in the position to which it was last operated, and in order to do so the dispatchers office equipment applies a positive potential to the message wire II immediately after the thirty-third impulse is transmitted over the stepping circuit, and let us observe how 32 of these impulses are absorbed, so to speak, by the impulse absorbing group.

As heretofore mentioned, the rst impulse applied to the stepping line I8 is a positive impulse and operates the contacts I5 and I6 of the relay LR to their right hand position; the contact I5 thus closes the following circuittg-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 28, wires 2| and 22, contact I5 assuming its right hand position, wires 23 and 24, Winding of the relay K, wires 25, 26 and 21, back to thebattery 20.

The circuit just traced will energize theY relay VK, but before this relay K has started'movement from its deenergized position the following circuits for the relays I and Ia are completedz-(l) beginning at the positive side of the battery 28, Wires 2| and 22, contact I5, wire 23, co-ntact 28 of the relay K in its normal retracted position, wires 29 and 38, lower winding of the relay I, wires 3| and 32, back contact 52 of the relay 2, wires 55 and 35, back to the negative terminal of the battery 28, and (2) beginning at positive terminal of the battery 28, wires 2| and 22, contact I5 of the relay LR, wire 23, back contact 28 of the relay K, wires 29 and 58, winding of the relay Ia, wirev 59, back contact 68 of the channel selecting |68, 55 and 35, to the negative terminal of battery 28. As soon as the relay has assumed its energized position the following stick circuit will be closed to hold this relay I energized irrespective of its pick-up circuitz-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 28,

Y wires 36 and 31, front stick contact 38 of the relay I, wire 39, upper winding of the relay I, wires 48 and 32, back contact 52 of the relay 2, wires 55 and 35 back to battery 28. Similarly, the relay |a is stuck up through the following l stick circuitbeginning at the positive terminal of the battery 28, wires 36, 5|, 94, |69, |Ii9a and |88, front stick contact IBI of the relay Ia, upper winding of this relay Ia, wire 59, back contact 68 of the relay 33, wires 69, |68, |6861, 18 and 6|, contact 4| of relay K, wires 68 and 35, back to the negative terminal of battery 28.

The relay K will by this time have assumed its attracted position and will have shifted its contacts 28, 4I and 42 to their attracted position, but the shifting of these contacts will not complete any particular circuit, because the only circuit completed is the circuit including the lower winding of the number relay 2, and this circuit has no source of energy contained therein.

Movement of the contact I5 of the line relay to its left hand position in response to the second impulse transmitted closes the following circuit for energizing the number relay 2 :-beginning at the negative terminal of the battery 28, wires 21 and 43, contact I5 of the relay LR, wire 23, contact28 of the relay K in its upper position, wire 44, front contact 45 of the relay I, wire 46, lower winding of the relay 2, wires 41 and 48, back contact 49 of theV relay 3, wires 58, 5I and 36 to the positive terminal of the battery 28.

The completion of this circuit effects energization of the number relay 2, the lifting of the contact 52 thereof breaking the stick circuit for the relay I, so that the relay I again assumes its def energized position, and further the picking up of the contact 52 of the relay 2 closes the following mannen the third impulse transmitted over Vstepping line I8 stick circuit for the relay 2:-beginning at the negative terminal of the battery 28, wires 35 and 55, front stick contact 52 of the relay 2, wire 53, upper winding of the relay 2, wires 54 and 48, back contact 49 of the relay 3, wires 58, 5| and 36, to the positive terminal of the battery 28.

It is thus seen that the first impulse energizes the number relays I and Ia, while the second impulse energizes the number relay 2. In the same the effects energization of the number relay 3 through the front contact 56 of the relay 2,' and similarly the fourth impulse transmitted effects energization of the relay 4 through the front contact 51l of the relay 3. rihe fourth impulse is of course one of negative polarity and with the relay 4 once energized it sticks up through 68, front contact 4I of the relay K, wires 6| and f 64 of the relay 4, wire 65, upper winding of the relay 4, wires 66 and 61, back contact 38 of the relay I, wires 31 and 36, to the positive terminal of the battery 2.8.

, The next impulse, namely the fifth impulse, which is of positive polarity, operates the line relay LR to the right thereby picking up the relays A and I through ihe following respective circuitsz-(l) beginning at the negative terminal of the battery 28, wires 4| of the relay K, wires 6|, 18 and 1I, back contact 12 of the pole changing relay P, wires 13, 14, 15, 'I6 and 11, back contact 18 of theshift relay SH, wire 19, contact I6 of the relay LR, wire S8, front contact 8| of the relay 4, 84 and 85, bottom winding of the letter relay A, wire 86, back contact 81 of the relay B, wires 88, 89 and 98, back contact 9| of the pole changing relay P, wires 92, 93, 94, 5| and 36, back to the positive side of the battery 28; and (2) beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 28, wires 2| and 22, polar contact I5 of the relay LR, wire 23, front contact 28 of the relay K, wire 44, back contact 45 of the relay I, wire 95, back contact 56 of the relay 2, wire 96, back contact 51 of the relay 3, wire 91, front contact 98 of the relay 4, wire 99, back c-ontact |88 of the transfer relay TR, wire IOI, front contact 42 of the relay K, wires |82 and 30, lower winding of the relay I,

62, front stick contact wires 3| and 32, back contact 52 of the relay 2, i

wires 55 and 35, to the negative terminal of the battery 28.

With these relays I and A once up, the relay I will stick up in a manner as already described,

and the relay A will stick up through ihe follow- G and |84, front stick contact |85 of the relay A, 3

wire |86, upper winding of the relay A, wires |81, |88, 89 and 98, back contact 9| of the relay P, wires 92, 93, 94, 5| and 36, back to the battery 28.

Picking up of the relay will of course effect deenergization of the relay 4 by the opening of its back contact 38, and as soon as the relay 4 drops to its deenergized position, bearing in mind that the letter relay A is now energized, the following pick-up circuit for the shift relay SH is completed:-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 28, wires 2|, IID and III, back contact II2 of the relay 4, wires Il3 and II4, winding of the relay SH, wire I I5, front contact II6 of the relay A, wire ||1, back contact |I8 of 35 and 68, front contact wires 82, 83,

the relay B, wires H9, |20, 26 and 21,'back to the battery 20.

The sixth, seventh and eighth impulse, will of course successively pick up the relays 2, 3, and 4 all in a manner as already herein explained hereinbefore. Picking up of the relay 4 on the eighth impulse will close the following stick circuit fo-r the relay SHz-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 20, wires 2|, I|0 and front contact I I2 of the relay 4, wire |2I, stick contact |22 of the relay SH, Wires |23 and II4, winding of the relay SH, wire II5, front contact |I6 of the relay A, Wire II1, back contact II8 of the relay B, Wires EIS, |20, 26 and 21, back to the battery 20. Also, with the relay 4 picked up, the ninth impulse of the cycle completes the following pick-up circuit for the relay B1-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 20, Wires 36, 5|, 94, 93 and 92, back contact 9| of the relay P, wires 90, 89, |08 and |25, contact 18 of relay SH in its raised position, wire 19, contact |6 of line relay LR, Wire 80, front contact 8| of the relay 4, wires 82, 83, 84 and |26, front contact |21 of the relay A, wire |28, lower Winding of the relay B, wire |29, back contact |30 of the relay C, wires |3|, 14 and 13, back contact 12 of the relay P, wires 1I, 'l0 and 6I, front contact 4| of the relay K, wires 60 and 35, back to the battery 28. The completion of this circuit will of course pick up the relay B, which relay will then stick up through a stick circuit includingits contact 81, readily traced in the drawing.

Picking up of the relay B will not effect deenergization of the relay A, because relay A will remain stuck up through its front stick contact |05. Picking up of the relay B will however, effect deenergization of the relay SH, because its stick circuit is broken at the back contact IIB of the relay B.

The ninth impulse transmitted over the step-V ping circuit will of course pick up the relay I, as will also impulses 10, l1 and l2 pick up the relay 2, 3, and 4 successively. With the relay 4 now energized in response to the twelfth impulse, and with the shift relay SH deenergze-d the relay C will be energized upon the thirteenth impulse through the following pick-up circuit beginning at the negative terminal of the battery 20, wires 35 and 60, front contact 4| of the relay K, wires 6I, 10 and 1|, back contact 12 of the relay P, wires 13, 14, 15, 16 and 11, back contact 18 of the relay SH, wire 19, Contact 6 of the line relay LR, Wire 80, front contact 8| of the relay 4, wires 82, 83 and |33, front contact |34 of the relay B, Wire |35, lower winding of the relay C, wires |36, |31 and 98, back contact 9| of the relay P, wires 92, 93, 94, 5I and 36 back to the battery 20.

'I'he relay C, as soon as`it has been picked up in response to the closure of the circuit just traced, will of course stick up through its stick circuit, readily traced in the drawing, and including its front stick contact |30. The thirteenth impulse will of course also effect energization of the relay I and thereby will eiTect dropping of the relay 4, and as soon as this occurs the shift relay SH will again be energized through the following pick-up circuitz-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 20, wires 2|, IIO and III, back contact |I2 of the relay 4, wires II3 and II4, winding of the relay SH, Wire II5, front contact II6 of relay A, wire II1, front contact ||8 of relay B, wire I 40, front contact I4I of the relay C, Wires |42, |20, 26 and 21, back to the battery 20.

For obvious reasons the fourteenth, fifteenth and Vsixteenth impulse will again pick uprelays, 2, 3, and 4 in succession. Picking up. of the relay 4 will again close the stick circuit for the. shift relay SH. Also, picking'up of the Vrelay .4v with the relays A, B andC all stuck up will effect closure of the circuit for the lower winding of the pole changer Pas soon as the line relay LR. is again energized to its right hand position, which occurs on the seventeenth irn-f pulse, so that relays I and P are simultaneously picked up on the seventeenth impulse, the pole changer relay P being picked up through the following pick-up circuitz-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 20, wires 36, 5|, 94, 93 and 92, back contact 9| of the relay P, wir-esv 98, 89, |08 and |25, front contact 18 of the .relay SI-Lwire 19, contact I6 of the line relay LR, wire 80, front contact 8| of the relay 4, wires 82 andA |44, front Contact |45 of the relay C, Wire |46, lower Winding of the relay P, wires |41 and 13, back contact 'I2 of the relay P, wires 1I, 10 and 6|, contact 4| of the relay K, wires 60 and 35, back to the battery 20.

Picking up of the pole changer -relay P effects closure of its stick circuit readily traced in the drawing and including the front stick contact |48 of the relay P. Also, picking up if the relay P effects polarity reversal on each of the relays A, B and C, but not on the relay P, and since each of these relays are included in a stick circuit, momentary dropping of relays A, B, C and SH will result and Will effect permanant deenergization thereof, in that their stick circuits. are broken. The seventeenth, eighteenth,nineteenth and twentieth impulse, will therefore effect respective energization of the relays I, 2, 3, and 4, all in a manner as already explained. Also, impulses 21, 22, 23 and 24 will effect respective energizations of the relays I and A, and the relays 2, 3 and 4.

Further, the reception of impulses 25, 26, 21 and 28 will result in the respective energization of relays I and B, and relays 2, 3 and 4. Reception of impulses 29, 30, 3l and 32 will result in the respective energization of relays I and C, and relays 2, 3 and 4. It should now be noted that contact I 50 of the relay C is closed at a time when the pole changer contacts 12 and 9| of the relay P are in their attracted position. It should further be noted that the shift relay SH is now deenergized, but will again be picked up as soon as the relay 4 again drops, this occurring on the twenty-ninth impulse,.which twenty-- ninth impulse effects energization of the relay I and dropping of the relay 4, so that the-transfer relay is energized in response to picking up of the shift relay SH with the relays C and P energized, which occurs at the twenty-ninth impulse transmitted. This energizing circuit for the transfer relay TR may be traced as followsbeginning at the positive terminal of the battery 20, wires 2|, H0 and I5I, front Contact |52 of the relay SH, Wire |53, Winding of the transfer relay TR, wire |54, front contact |50 of the relay C, Wires and 90, front contact 9| of the pole changer relay P, wires 1|, 10 and 6I, front contact 4| of the relay K, wires 60 and 35, back to the battery 28. f

With the transfer relay TR now energized its front contact |00 connects the wire 99 to the transfer wire |60, but no current Will be applied to this transfer wire until the thirty-third impulse, at which impulse the relay 4 is up, the relay 3 is downand the line relay LR is toward the right, at which time energy may flow to' the 4 channel selecting relay 33 through the following circuitbeginning at the positive terminal of the battery 20, wires 2| and 22, contact I5 of the line relay LR toward the right, wire 23, front contact 28 of the slow acting relay K, wire 44, back Contact 45 of relay I, wire 95, back contact 56`of relay 2, wire 96, back contact 51 of relay 3, wire 91, front contact 98 of relay 4, wire 99, front contact |00 of the transfer relay TR, wire |60, front contact I6I of the relay I, wire |62, lower winding of the relay 33, wires |63 and |64, back contact |65 of the relay 34, wires |66, |61, I68, 10 and 6I, front contact 4| of the relay K, wires 60 and 35, back to the negative terminal of the battery 20. The completion of this circuit will of course pick up the relay 33, which'relay 33 when picked up will stick up through a stick circuit including its front stick contact |10, thereby resulting in the dropping of the relay la, its circuit being broken at the back contact 68 of the relay 33. As heretofore mentioned, current of a positive polarity will momentarily bev applied to the message circuit at a suitable dispatchers oice (not shown) so that the relay SR included between the message wire II and the common return wire C and including the front contact I1I of the relay 33 will be operated toward the right, thereby connecting the terminal B of a suitable battery to the pole changer contact |12 of the direction relay DR, through the medium of the polar contact |13 of the signal relay SR. This operation of the signal relay SR from its left hand to its right hand position will apply energy to the eastbound starting signal E through the medium of contacts |13 and |12, providing of course that traffic conditions in advance are safe as determined by the usual home and distant relays of the railway signalling system (not shown).

Let us now assume that on the thirty-fourth impulse of a particular operating cycle current of negative polarity is applied to a message wire II at the dispatchers oce; this thirty-fourthv impulse will of course pick up the relay 34 through the front contact |15 of the channel selecting relay 33, so that the current of negative polarity on the message wire may pass to the direction relay DR, through the back contact I1 I, of the channel selecting relay 33 and the front contact |16 of the channel selecting relay 34, whereby the direction relay DR is operated to its left hand position causing the east bound signal E to be moved to the stop position and permitting the west bound signal W to be cleared in accordance with traffic conditions ahead (this means not having been shown specifically) As pointedout in said prior application, when the operating cycle has been completed, a period of blank (stepping line deenerlgized) will elapse, in which period the slow acting relays K at the various wayside locations will assume their deenergized position, thus restoring the system to normal by deenergizing the relays 4, 34, P, SH and TR upon the opening of front contact 4|.

From the foregoing consideration it is apparent that even though the impulse absorbing relay group only includes 10 relays it has been made possible to absorb 32 electrical impulses thereby, and pass the thirty-third impulse on to the selecting relay group. It also is apparent that the letter relays A,'B and C have been used twice, and the number relays I, 2, 3 and 4 have been used 8 times, so that considerable economy may be obtained in using an impulse absorbing relay group, such as shown in the drawing and as has been described hereinbefore. It should also be understood that the impulse absorbing group of relays may also be used for channel selecting purposes, for instance, a contact on the transfer relay closed when this relay is up may connect the message wire to channel selecting contacts of the relays I, 2, 3 and 4, as shown in the aforementioned prior application.

l-Iaving thus shown and described one rather specic arrangement of relays whereby a larger number of impulses may be absorbed than relays employed, it is desired to be understood that the particular circuit arrangements shown and described have not been selected for the purpose of showing the exact construction preferably employed in practicing the invention, nor the scope of the present invention, but that the particular circuit arrangement illustrated has been selected for the purpose of showing the underlying principles of the invention, for instance, one principle resides in allowing the impulses to run through the relays I, 2, 3 and 4, for each of the letter relays A, B or C picked up or stuck up, another principle of which resides in the dropping of the letter relays A, B and C in response to the picking up of a repeat or pole changing relay, so that these letter relays A, B and C may be picked up a second time. In view of these facts it is desired to be understood that the present invention hasV a broader scope than the particular circuit arrangement illustrated, and that various changes, modifications and additions may be made to adapt the inventions to the particular problem encountered in practicing the same. For instance, if it is desired to absorb only 31 impulses, instead of 32 impulses the transfer wire |60 may be closed only when the relay 3 is energized instead of when the relay 4 is energized, or if it is desired to absorb only 29 impulses the transfer wire |60 would be connected to a front point through a front contact of the relay I; also, if desired a larger number or less number of number relays and letter relays may be employed, so that any desired number of electrical impulses may be absorbed by slight modifications in the particular circuit arrangement illustrating the impulse absorbing relay group shown, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, except as demanded by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim isz- 1. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized tralc controlling systems for railways for delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have been received comprising, a series of stepping relays of the rst order, a series of stepping relays of a second order, means interconnecting said relays so that all of said relays of the ilrst order will operate successively for each of the relays of the second order operated, and means for always delivering the impulses as they are received only when a predetermined number of impulses have been absorbed. l

2. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized traflic controlling systems for railways for delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have been received comprising, a series of stepping relays `of the rst order, a series of stepping relays of a second order, means interconnecting said relays so that all of said relays of the first Aorder will operate successively for each of the relays of the second order operated, means for always delivering the impulses as they are received only after a 3. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized trai-Tic controlling systems for railways or delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have been received comprising, a series of stepping relays of the rst order, a series of stepping relays of a second order, a relay of the third order, means interconnecting said relays so that all of said re lays of the first order will operate successively 'for each of the relays of the. second order operated and so that all of said relays of the second o-rder Will be permitted to operate successively for the second time in response to operation of' said relay of the third order, and means for delivering the impulses as they are received after a predetermined number of impulses have been absorbed.

4. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized traiiic controlling systems for railways for delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have been received comprising, a series of stepping relays of the rst order, a series of stepping relays of a second order, a relay of the third order, means interconnecting said relays so that all of said relays of the iirst order will operate successively for each of the relays of the second order operated and so that all of said relays of the second order will operate successively for the second time in response to operation of said relay of the third order, means for delivering the impulses as they are received after a predetermined number vof impulses have been absorbed, and means for establishing message circuits by the impulses delivered.

5. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized traffic controlling systems for railways for delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have been received comprising, a series of stepping relays of the first order, a series of relays of a second order, means for picking up and sticking up a relay of the second order foreach successive operation of all the relays of the first order and for effecting repeat operation of said relays of the rst order in response to impulses received, and means for delivering the impulses as they are received when all of said relays of the second order have been stuck up.

6. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized trac controlling systems Vfor railways for delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have Vbeen received comprising, a series of stepping relays ofthe first order, a series of stepping relays of a second order, means for picking up and sticking up a relay of the second order for each successive operation of all the relays of the rst order and for effecting repeat operation of said relays Yof the rst order in response to impulses received, means for delivering the impulses as they are received when all of said relays of the second order have been stuck-up, and mean-s for establishing message circuits by the impulses delivered.

7. An impulse absorbing group of relays for centralized traflic controlling systems for railways for delivering impulses only after a predetermined number of impulses have been received comprising, a series of stepping relays of the rst o-rder, a series of stepping relays of a second order, means for picking up and sticking up a relay of the second order for veach successive operation of all the relays of the first order and for effecting repeat operation of said relays of the rst order in response to impulses received, means for deenergizing said relays of the second order when they have all .been stuck up for the 'rst time, so that they may be successively stuck up again, and means for delivering the impulses as they are received when all of "said relays of the second order have been stuck up vfor the second time, and means for establishing message circuits for the impulses delivered.

8. A centralized traic controlling system `:for raiiroads comprising, line relay,- a series of neutral relays energized successively as lsaid lineV relay is operated, a message circuit completed after lsaid series of neutral relays have been operated, and means requiring said series of neutral relays toy be successively energized two times during a particular cycle before said message circuit is completed.

9. l'n a train `dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a plurality 'of stepping relays successively picked up in accordance with stepping impulses applied to a line circuit co-nnecting two spaced stations, a stick relay picked up when the last one of said stepping relays has been picked up, a stick circuit for said stick relay, and a contact controlled by said stick relay for causing said series of stepping relays to again be picked up successively in accordance with stepping impulses on said line circuit.

10. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a plurality of stepping relays successively picked up in accordance with stepping impulses applied to a line circuit connecting two spaced stations, a stick relay picked up when the last one of said stepping relays has been picked up, a stick circuit for said stick relay including a front contact of one of said stepping relays, and a contact controlled by said stick relay for causing said series ofl stepping relays to again be picked up successively in accordance with -stepping impulses on said line circuit.

11. A train dispatching system comprising, a local oflice and a distant way station, a stepping circuit connecting said oflice and way station, means at said oice to impress on said line circuit a series of stepping impulses followed by a period of deenergization of said line circuit, a series of stepping relays energized successively,

one relay being energized for each impulse on said stepping circuit, a stick relay for repeating said series of stepping relays and causing them to be again successively picked up, a slow acting relay actuated during said period of deenergization of said line circuit, and a stick circuit for said stick relay including a contact of said slow acting relay.

12. A train dispatching system comprising, a local oiice and a distant way station, a stepping circuit connecting said oflice and way static-n, means at said office to impress on said line circuit a series of stepping impulses `followed by a period of deenergization of said line circuit, 'a series of stepping relays energized successively one relay being energized for each impulse on said stepping circuit, a stick relay picked up by one of said stepping relays for repeating said series of stepping relays and causing them to be again successively picked up, a slow acting relay actuated during said period o-f deenergization of said line circuit, and a stick circuit for said stick relay including a contact of said slow acting relay.

13. A train dispatching system comprising, a local oflice andra distant way station, a stepping circuit connecting said office and way station, means at said oflice to impress on said line circuit a series of stepping impulses followed by Ya period of deenergization of said line circuit, a series of stepping relays energized successively one relay being energized for each impulse on said stepping circuit, a stick relay picked up by one of said stepping relays for repeating said series of stepping relays and causing them to be again successively picked up, a slow acting relay actuated during said period of deenergization of said line circuit, a stick circuit for said stick relay including a pole-changing contact, means for operating said pole-change contact to drop said stick relay when it has performed its repeat-initiating function, a second stick relay for performing a repeat-initiating function, and a stick circuit for said second stick relay including a contact actuated by said slow acting relay.

14. A train dispatching system comprising, a local office and a distant way station, a stepping circuit connecting said oiiice and way station, means at said office to impress on said line circuit a series of stepping impulses followed by a period of deenergization of said line circuit, a series of stepping relays energized successively one relay being energized for each impulse on said stepping circuit, a stick relay picked up by one of said stepping relays for repeating said series of stepping relays and causing them to be again successively picked up, a slow acting relay actuated during said period of deenergization of said line circuit, a stick circuit for said stick relay including a pole-changing contact, means for .operating said pole-change contact to drop said stick relay when it has performed its repeat-initiating function, a second stick relay for performing a repeat-initiating function, a stick circuit for said second stick relay including a contact actuated by said slow acting relay, and railway traftic controlling apparatus controlled by said stepping relays.

l5. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a line relay operated intermittently in accordance with impulses transmitted over a line circuit, a series of relays picked up one at a time in accordance with operation of said line relay and each having a stick circuit deriving its energy from the same bus wires, and means for reversing the polarity of said bus wires to effect dropping o-f all of said stick relays.

16. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a line relay operated intermittently in accordance with impulses transmitted over a line circuit, a stick relay picked up in response to a particular step of operation of said line relay, a stick circuit for said stick relay excluding a contact of said line relay but including its own front contact, and means for reversing the polarity of a current source in said stick circuit to effect dropping of said stick relay but leaving available said source for the purpose of holding said stick relay energized in response to a second picking up of said stick relay.

17. In a centralized traiiic controlling system, the combination with a stepping circuit connectinga central oflice and a plurality of way stations; a series of stepping relays, a pick up circuit Vfor each even relay which is closed only if the particular distinctive impulse impressed on 5 the stepping circuit for the step corresponding to Vthat relay is of a particular character, the next preceding stepping relay is attracted, and a relay which can manifest Whether the step is an even or an odd step manifests an even step, and a pick up circuit for each odd relay which can be closed only if the distinctive impulse impressed on the stepping circuit for the step corresponding to that particular relay is of a particular character, the next preceding stepping relay assumes its attracted position, and the relay which can manifest Whether the step is an even or an odd step manifests an odd step.

18. In combination, a neutral control relay, a bank of neutral stepping relays having pick-up circuits, and means governed by said control relay and including a separate relay for successively energizing the pick-u p circuits of said stepping relays only one for each successive energization of said neutral control relay and only during such energization of said neutral control relay.

19. In combination, a control contact capable of being opened and closed, a plurality of stepping relays having pick-up circuits, a single half step relay, means actuating said half step relay for each time said control contact is opened, and means including said half step relay for successively energizing said pick-up circuits of said stepping relays only for the successive closures of said control contact.

20. In combination, a control contact capable of being opened and closed, a plurality of stepping relays having pick-up circuits, a single half step relay having a contact capable of being actuated to either of two positions, means actuating said contact of said half step relay to an opposite position for each time said control contact is opened, and means including the contact of said half step relay for successively energizing said pick-up circuits of said stepping relays only for the successive closures of said control contact.

2l. In combination, a neutral control relay, a plurality'of neutral stepping relays,`a single half step relay having a two position contact, a pickup circuit for each stepping relay including a front contact of its next preceding relay, means actuating the contact of Said half step relay to alternate positions for successive deenergizations of said neutral control relay, and means including said contact of said half step relay and a front contact of said neutral control relay for energizing said pick-up circuits of said stepping relays successively.

22. In combination, a control relay having contacts operable to either of two positions, a plurality of stepping relays, a half step relay having a half step contact operable to either of two positions, a pick-up circuit for each odd numbered stepping relay including a front contact of said control relay and said half step contact in one 0f its positions, a pick-up circuit for each even numbered stepping relay including a front contact of said control relay and said half step contact in the otherV of its positions, and circuit` means for said half step relay including a back contact of said control relay and front contacts of said stepping relays, whereby said stepping relays are picked up successively upon succcessive energizations of said control relay, and whereby said half step relay actuates its half step contact to the opposite position for each successive deenergization of said control relay.

23. In combination, a neutral control relay, a bank of neutral stepping relays of the single armature type, a pick-up circuit for each of said stepping relays, and means including a separate relay and Said neutral control relay for successively energizing the pick-up circuits of said stepping relays only upon, and only one for, each successive energization of said neutral control relay.

24. In combination; a control relay having a control contact operable to either of two posi-l tions; a plurality of stepping relays; a half step relay; means actuating said half step relay for each operation of said control contact to one of its said two positions; and control means governed by said control contact and said half step relay for actuating said stepping relays successively, one for each operation of said control contact to the o-ther of its said two positions, whereby said successive actuations of said stepping relays occur alternately with the actuations of said half step relay.

25. In combination, a series of stepping relays, a source of current, an impulsing relay when successively operated to one position to sequentially energize said stepping relays, and means, eiective when said impulsing relay is successively operated to another position and said stepping relays are successively actuated to th-eir energized positions, to successively select alternate polarities for said energization with said impulsing relay in its said one position.

26. In combination, an impulse relay operated by current irrespective of polarity, odd numbered counting relays operated by current of one polarity, even numbered counting relays operated by current of another polarity, means including said Odd and even counting relays for counting respective odd and even impulses received by said impulse relay, and a relay common to all of said counting relays and controlled jointly by said impulse relay and said counting relays for selecting opposite polarities alternately.

27. In combination; a neutral control relay; a plurality of neutral stepping relays; a single neutral half step relay; a pick-up circuit for each odd stepping relay including a front contact of its next preceding stepping relay, except in the case of the first stepping relay, a Contact of said control relay closed in one position, and a contact of said half step relay closed in one position; a pick-up circuit for each even stepping relay including a front contact of its next preceding stepping relay, a Contact of said control relay closed in one position; a stick circuit for each of said stepping relays closed when the corresponding stepping relay is picked up and maintained closed until the last stepping relay has picked up; a pick-up circuit for said half step relay including a contact of said control relay closed in its said other position and contacts of Said stepping relays, whereby said half step relay is picked up following the picking up of each odd stepping relay; and a stick circuit for said half step relay including its own front contact and a contact of said control relay in it said one position.

28. In combination; a neutral control relay; a plurality of neutral stepping relays; a single neu.- tral half step relay; a pick-up circuit for each odd stepping relay including a front contact of its next preceding stepping relay, except in the case of the first stepping relay, a contact of said control relay closed in o-ne position, and a contact of said half step relay closed in one position; a pick-up circuit for each even stepping relay including a front contact of its next preceding stepping relay, a contact of said control relay closed in one position, and said contact of said half step relay closed in its other position; a stick circuit for each of said stepping relays fr7 closed when the corresponding steppngrelayifs picked up and maintained closed until the last stepping relay has picked up; pick-up circuits-for Said half step relay closed when' a contact of said control relay is closed in its said other position and an odd numbered stepping relay is the last operated stepping relay; Astick circuits for said half step relay closed when a contact of said control relay is in its said one position and an odd numbered stepping relay is the last operated stepping relay; and electro-responsive means controlled by said stepping relays.

29. In combination; a line circuit having Aa series of impulses impressed thereon; a line relay for repeating said impulses; a slow acting relay controlled by said line relay so as to be picked 'up at the beginning of each series of impulses Iand dropped at the end of each series; a series of stepping relays; a pick up circuit for the first stepping relay of said series controlled by said line relay and including a back contact of said slow acting relay and a back contact of the next succeeding stepping relay; a pick up circuit for each of the remaining stepping relays, except the last, controlled by said line relay and including a front contact of said slow acting relay, a front contact of the next preceding stepping relay and a back contact of the next succeeding stepping relay; a pick up circuit for the last stepping relay of said series controlled by said line relay and including a front contact of said slow acting relay, a front contact of the next pre-ceding stepping relay and a back contact of said first stepping relay of said series; a transfer relay; and an auxiliary pick up circuit for the first stepping relay controlled by said line relay and including a front contact of said slow acting relay, a front contact of said last stepping relay, a contact of said transfer relay and a back contact of the next succeeding stepping relay; whereby said stepping relay bank can operate through a second time in response to said impulses only provided said contact of said transfer relay is closed.

30. A train dispatching system comprising, a local ofl'ice and a distant way station, a stepping circuit connecting said office and said way station, means at said oflce for impressing on said line circuit a series of stepping impulses followed by a period of deenergization of said line circuit, a series of stepping relays energized successively one relay for each impulse on said stepping circuit during a first part of said series of impulses, a stick relay picked up when the last stepping relay of said series is picked up for causing said stepping relays to be again successively picked up during a second part of said series of impulses, a slow acting relay picked up at the beginning of said series of impulses and dropped during said period of deenergization of said line circuit, and a stick circuit for said stick relay includving a front Contact of said slow acting relay.

31. A train dispatching system comprising a stepping circuit connecting a control oce and a way-station, means at the control ofce to impress on said line circuit a series of stepping impulses followed by a period of deenergization of said line circuit, a series of stepping relays energized successively one relay for each impulse on said stepping circuit, a slow acting relay picked up at the beginning of said series of impulses and dropped away during said period of deenergization of said line circuit, a stick circuit for each of said stepping relays closed dependent upon the picked up condition of said slow acting relay, a

stick relay picked up bythe picking up of the last stepping relay of said series, a stick circuit for said stick relay closed dependent upon Vthe picked up condition of said slow acting relay, and pole changing means for reversing the polarity of energy on certain of said stick circuits for said stepping relays whereby all of said stepping relays are dropped away.

32. In combination, a neutral control relay, a bank of neutral stepping relays of the single armature type, a pick up circuit for each of said stepping relays, a separate relay actuated to opposite positions upon alternate operations of said control relay, and circuit means controlled by said control relay and said separate relay for successively energizing the pick up circuits of said stepping relays only one such pick up circuit for Veach successive energization of said neutral control relay.

33. In combination, a line circuit having a series of impulses impressed thereon, a stepping relay bank, a rst and a second step-by-step means, means responsive to said impulses on said line circuit for causing said first step-by-step means to operate through all of its steps for each step of said second step-by--step means, and means al- Ways causing said stepping relay bank to be responsive to said impulses on said line circuit only when said second step-by-step means has operated through all of its steps, whereby a predetermined number of impulses of said series is absorbed before the said stepping relay bank is operated. y

RICHARD C. LEAKE.

SYsTEM. Patent dat by the assignee, Gener Hereby enters this disclaimer t0 Jr/j.

DISCLAIMER -Rchard' O. Leake, Rochester, N. Y. CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL ed June 2, 1936. Disclaimer led October 23, 1937, al Railway Signal Company.

claim 9 of said Letters Patent.

Oficial Gazette Noeember 9, 1.937.]

DISCLAIMER CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL 2,042,670.-R'chard C. Leake, Rochester, N. Y.

SYSTEM. Patent dated June 2, 1936. Disclaimer filed November 30, 1937,

by the assignee, General Railway Signal Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2, and 8 of said Letters Patent.

[Qcial Gazette Decembma 28, 1937.] 

